California Man Arrested for Cooking His Wife

The accused pleaded not guilty of the charges.

Man Arrested for Killing and Cooking His Wife(Image courtesy of fitnessanddefense.com)

A man in the US state of California is in court on charges of killing his wife and cooking her body parts.

Frederick Joseph Hengl, 68, was arrested by police after his wife's head was found in the freezer while various parts of her anatomy were being cooked on the stove.

The victim has been identified as Hengl's 73-year old wife Anna Faris, according to San Diego's Union-Tribune newspaper.

Although the authorities have admitted "there is no evidence of cannibalism at this time" the police official who first entered Hengl's home saw three pans of "meat" being cooked. A meat grinder was also being used, said Deputy District Attorney Katherine Flaherty.

"They also found a work area set up in the bathroom, with saws, a boning knife and other cutting instruments," added Flaherty.

The police were alerted to the incident when one of the neighbours called them to complain about the odour. Fresh pieces of cut bones were lying scattered around the room when officers broke into the home.

Initial reports suggest the victim was killed after 1 November, although the exact cause of the death has yet to be discovered in further investigation.

Hengl faces charges including wilful cruelty to an elder and committing an unlawful act with human remains, and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges in the Vista Superior Court. His lawyer has requested that he receive medical attention.